"After having a family death and other things, I took it badly" - Rob Cross admits post-World Championship win struggles

Rob Cross immediately won the PDC World Darts Championship on his debut in 2018. Afterwards however, he found it difficult to adapt to his new situation.

Cross noticed that after winning the World Championship, not everything was smooth sailing. "I think thats the struggle after the Worlds, you have to adjust to a new life because it won't be anything like it used to be," Cross told Daily Star. "From the way you conduct yourself to how much work you're putting in - your whole routine changes forever. It's only recently that I feel fully adjusted and I'm happy where I am at the minute. I'll pick up another major at the end of the year this year."

"I think a balance is massive for me," continued the 33-year-old Englishman. "After having a family death and other things, I took it badly. It's taken me a long time to really recover and get that love back for the game."

"When you're going out and you feel like you're fighting yourself, let alone playing an opponent it can be very tough. But the last, I suppose the last 14 months I've really sort of just started to turn around and there is glimpses there now that I'm getting back to where I want to be and I've had that family time this year, which was needed."

Confirming he is indeed in good form, Cross had a double success Down Under in the World Series of Darts over the summer. "Winning in Australia and New Zealand was nice to take off my list and now I'm feeling good going into the business end of the year."